Agnon Students Wage “Penny Wars” for Charity tudents at The Agnon School recently raised $1,315.51 by waging a week-long “Penny Wars” charity challenge to support the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. The Federation will use this money to address the diverse needs of the Jewish community worldwide. An important part of Agnon’s curriculum teaches students to engage in acts of tzedakah – which means righteousness in Hebrew – through charitable giving and volunteer work. As one of the school’s seven core values, this instills within the students a sense of responsibility for each other and for the larger world in which they live. The object of “Penny Wars” is S to collect the most pennies. At the start of this challenge, each grade received a jar for collecting money. Then, students enthusiastically place pennies in their own grade’s jar, while strategically depositing larger amounts of money into other jars to increase their chances of winning. At the end of “Penny Wars,” Agnon’s 4th grade class was declared victorious. They received a trophy and will celebrate their triumph with an ice cream party. All proceeds from every grade were donated to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. “$1,315.51 is a lot of pennies – but Penny Wars is about so much more than the dollars raised. For our students, it is the awareness they gain that they are also responsible for their community’s welfare; and it’s the knowledge that everyone, no matter their level of support, can contribute to a better future. They came through beautifully,” said Agnon Head of School Jerry Isaak-Shapiro. Pictured: Hannah Plotkin helps raise funds for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland during the “Penny Wars” challenge. Coming Soon! The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival Is Toastmasters for You? tickets as early as possible. When purchasing your tickets, be sure to use coupon code BCHWDB to receive $2 off each ticket! For more information, visit www.clevelandfilm.org or call 216.623.FILM (3456). T he 39th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) will take place March 18-29 at Tower City Cinemas and select neighborhood screening locations. For the past 38 years, the CIFF has been the premier film event in Ohio. Today, the CIFF presents more than 180 feature films and over 160 short subject films from at least 60 countries. More than 200 filmmakers and other special guests attend the CIFF, and hundreds of junior high and high school students participate in FilmSlam, a mini-festival of CIFF films screened every weekday morning. The 39th CIFF will launch with an opening night film and gala event to an anticipated crowd of 1,500 people on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, followed by more than 475 film screenings at Tower City Cinemas from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight (and even later on weekends) for the next eleven days. Screenings at select neighborhood locations will also be available throughout the festival. The closing night awards program will likely draw 2,000 people on the evening of Sunday, March 29. Since 2003, the CIFF has experienced tremendous growth. Attendance, which has increased by 178% over the last 11 years, was 97,804 in 2014. The program lineup will be available at clevelandfilm.org in mid-February, and program guides will hit the streets the week of February 23. Tickets will go on sale to members only on Friday, February 27, one week before they are offered to the general public, on Friday, March 6. Because advance tickets for many screenings sell quickly, patrons are advised to purchase D When purchasing your tickets, be sure to use coupon code BCHWDB to receive $2 off each ticket! o you panic, get tongue-tied or break out in a sweat when you have to speak in front of a group? If so, then Toastmasters is for you. Toastmasters is an international organization designed to help people overcome their fear of public speaking through practicing proven-success methods in a friendly setting. Its mission is to provide a supportive and positive learning experience that develops communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! A local club, Transformative Toastmasters, meets every Tuesday evening, 6:30-8:00 p.m., inside Heights Christian Church, 17300 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights. For more information, contact Janet Wasserman at japawa1@ aol.com . 44 Beachwood Buzz n February 2015